Captain Ponting is blinded by the White
Roar Pro By Benjamin Conkey, 13 Feb 2009 Benjamin Conkey is a Roar Pro
We’ve all had a bit of a laugh about what Cameron White is doing in the Australian team, but if you analyse his statistics, he really hasn’t done too much wrong.
Let’s start with his batting.
He’s scored 13 first class hundreds and three domestic limited overs centuries, but the highest White has batted in his ODI career is at number five during the current series. The rest of the time he’s been at six, seven or eight.
So what that typically means is he either has to consolidate for the team or get on with it and hit fours and sixes in the final overs.
White is yet to register a half-century because he’s hardly had a chance to show what he can do with the bat. In 19 ODI innings, he’s arrived at the crease just seven times before the 40th over.
As for his bowling (or lack of it), Ricky Ponting refuses to throw him the ball, unless he has no other choice.
Okay, I understand he went for 24 runs from two overs in the last match, but what about all the other times?
In 27 ODIs, White has bowled 53 overs. He’s only had a chance to bowl in 17 of those matches, meaning he averages a miserly three overs when he does get a bowl – hardly the amount of time a bowler needs to get into rhythm.
If bowling is all about confidence, White’s bowling self-esteem must be at an all-time low.
Ponting regularly chucks the ball to his off-sider, Clarke, before White gets a look in. Sometimes he doesn’t chuck him the ball at all, even to shine it.
He’s NEVER been given the chance to bowl his full quota of overs in ODIs (seven is his Personal Best).
Yet, despite being constantly demoted to 12th man, coupled with the lack of faith his captain has in him, multiplied by the constant media pressure to perform as the specialist spinner – his stats are not that bad.
He strikes at under 30 balls per wicket and he averages a tick over 30.
Obviously his real problem is economy rate (6-runs an over), but surely wickets count for more in limited overs cricket? That’s what we used to tell Brett Lee, anyway.
I think the Australian selectors and Ricky Ponting have to get over the Warne factor and accept Cameron White as the attacking leg-spin bowler he is. The failed experiment with Nathan Hauritz, who was selected to keep the runs down, proves there is no quick fix.
They should stop chopping and changing the side.
Let Cameron White stay in the team for more than two matches in a row. Let him bowl 10-overs for once and make him feel like he is part of the team. He does have more to offer than being a professional fielder.
Shouldn’t he at least get the chance to prove himself before he is dropped for good?
Maybe at this stage he wants to be dropped. At least then he’d be able to bowl a few more overs for Victoria.
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February 13th 2009 @ 8:49am
sledgeross said | February 13th 2009 @ 8:49am | Report comment
Its not about Ponting not having faith in WHites bowling, he doesnt even have it! White hardly even bowls for the Vics these days either.
He is only there because our pathetic selectors are romanced by the notion of an allrounder…..
February 13th 2009 @ 9:57am
Nug said | February 13th 2009 @ 9:57am | Report comment
I don’t know who Cameron White has on his side but they must be high up in Australian Cricket. Fair dinkum, White has done absolutely nothing since being selected for the Australian team. Everybody was quick to condem Matthew Hayden, Andrew Symonds etc. but they have stuck with White. Ricky Ponting knows what a dud he is and that is why he uses him only sparingly. Wake up selectors and bring back Roy. He will at least help with team spirit, not like White.
February 13th 2009 @ 10:17am
Mick of Newie said | February 13th 2009 @ 10:17am | Report comment
Sledgeross I agree.
The worse thing to ever happen to Cameron White’s career was being made captain of Victoria. Someone at CA should have vetoed that and told Victoria that it is in the national cricket interest that White bowls at first class level and to do that he needs a captain who will throw him the ball. It is the height of stupidity to make a young leg spinning allrounder a state captain. Leg spin is a hard enough craft to learn without the self doubt of having to decide when you can bowl and worrying what your much older teamates my think if you were to bowl yourself and get carted.
February 13th 2009 @ 10:46am
Reg said | February 13th 2009 @ 10:46am | Report comment
I reckon he has the potential to be another Darren Lehman. A damaging higher order (in one dayers at least) batsman who bowls occasionally. He should bat himself at 5 (at least) for Victoria.
Australia has been lacking a middle order batsman to really get the runs moving in that ‘boring’ middle stage of the game, perhaps White can be that man? In saying that, with the Hussey’s seemingly back in form then he may not get the chance, but I’d be open to White getting a chance at 5 with Mike Hussey at 6.
February 13th 2009 @ 2:55pm
JohnB said | February 13th 2009 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
Seems to me White is basically being played as a batsman. It seems to be treated as an extra that he’s an occasional bowler, who’ll give you 5 overs at most (but usually less) – other occasional bowlers could pick up his contribution with little or nothing lost would appear to be the attitude (and on form that may be right too). Consequently, and until his bowling improves, he should be assessed as a batsman.
Perhaps the other thing that could happen is to query whether the team balance is right with a player of his type at 7, given the make-up of the rest of the team. Do they need more bowling?
For White batting at 7 the job description presumably is come in and start swinging very quickly (when he comes in in the last 7 or 8 overs) or play it by ear if he’s in earlier (that is, play the supporting role if the bloke at the other end is going and only if there are still wickets in hand open up in the last few overs, or take more responsibility if batting with the tail) – they want him to be Albie Morkel if things are going well, and Michael Bevan if they’re not. It’s fair to say that that isn’t an easy role to play, and it’s one where even if you succeed you probably won’t score a lot of runs (as you won’t be in long enough – although you may end up with a good average if you get a lot of not outs). While White hasn’t done all that well is there someone who would perform that role better? Or should the demands on that position be different?
February 14th 2009 @ 7:11am
hazey.the.bear said | February 14th 2009 @ 7:11am | Report comment
JohnB: Perhaps the other thing that could happen is to query whether the team balance is right with a player of his type at 7, given the make-up of the rest of the team. Do they need more bowling?
Absolutely! Let’s face the facts, White hasn’t done much with the ball, and is questionable with the bat (yes, it’s a tough role, but he hasn’t performed to expectations). Hopes has done a decent job as an all-rounder (he’s not flashy but he works hard and has gotten results), and Callum Ferguson has emerged as another quality batsman (last night, he was brilliant). The batting has been getting gradually better over the summer – it’s the bowling that has continued to let Australia down time and time again. The opening combo of Clarke and Haddin was a successful experiment, and when Marsh comes back from injury, this will only strenthen Australia’s batting stocks.
So what Australian needs now, and has always needed, is a quality spinner who can read the play, and attack or defend as necessary. Once they find that, and keep team unity goin’ for a while, there’s no reason the Aussies can’t get back to being a competitive force in world cricket.
February 14th 2009 @ 6:38pm
Justin said | February 14th 2009 @ 6:38pm | Report comment
Yep, playing one too many bits and pieces players like White is doing nothing. Get McGain in there as a specialist spinner, better balance to the team overall. We have enough batting as it is but the bowling still lacks some cutting edge due to the 3 or 4 all rounder types the selectors keep picking.
February 15th 2009 @ 1:58am
Skrilla said | February 15th 2009 @ 1:58am | Report comment
The fact Cam White is still in the team is a complete joke. You could write all the articles and show all the stats in the world but it still won’t save him.
I’m used to looking at a middle order that doesn’t induce my gag reflex. But everytime I see his name in the list my confidence is shattered.
I could write an essay on the subject but i’ll sum it up real quick.
Can’t bat under pressure.
Couldn’t bowl to a blind man who was wielding the unused pitch as a bat.
Couldn’t captain a titanium ship navigating a tissue glacier field.
So yea, Hilditch and the other stooges need to wake up real fast.
February 18th 2009 @ 11:14pm
diz said | February 18th 2009 @ 11:14pm | Report comment
Statistics dont mention the fact that he cant turn the ball 1 cm. His arm action is too high which produces more top spin than side spin. Who cares if he has hit a few balls for six. The selectors should be looking for a genuine strike spinner leg spinner rather than an all rounder spinner. The selectors should also stop using the economy based spinner theory eg. Hauritz. Surely some of the generation of kids growing up watching Warney and Magilla have absorbed and modelled themselves on that talent, why arent they being discovered?